145529-1 Student ID 145529 Teacher ID 2123 Senior Project 23 March 2012 Bullying Prevention in School Districts One blustery

snowy morning on December 4th 2005, Mother Michelle Calco, awoke to find her 15 year old daughter, Kristina Calco, had abruptly ended her own life, like many parents in this tragic situation, Kristinas Parents were left to pick up the pieces. Kristina, who was such a frail and sensitive girl, was made to feel ugly on a daily basis by a group of her own peers. By the time she was in the 9th grade, she had internalized the verbal assaults until she believed them with every grain of her soul. Unfortunately, the bullying never ended. Suicide seemed like her only escape her only way out and her only way to end the pain. It is situations like this where parents and school districts need to work together to solve and prevent bullying, as well as create a safe and un hostile environment. School distracts and parents need to take more action to prevent bullying because it can affect a student in many negative ways, therefore , programs and stricter policies for prevention should be placed. Bullying can be defined and determined in many various ways in the same way that there are many ways some one can be bullied. Bullying can be defined by many different factors; bullies, victims and bystanders all play important roles in contributing to bullying- and each can also help contribute to stopping it. (Storey & Slaby 10). There are many different forms of bullying, such as the following: Physical, which is any form of physical attack to someone or their belongings. Verbal, this is any offensive remark towards someone. Indirect, this is a remark

145529-2 behind some ones back and then cyber bullying, which is any offensive remark through electronic medium. (Facts). Nevertheless all forms of bullying should not be tolerated. Many do not know how or why bullying has originated and why it has increased over time, however, it has been proven that parents or guardians are one of the leading causes of children growing up and becoming bullies. Bullying is often a learned behavior and parents can unfortunately be the cause if they do not play a commendable role model. Children often look to their parents for guidance and therefore Parents need to be an appropriate role model for their child and teach to respect diversity, because most are lacking the will to embrace someone who is different. ( Hall & Jones 4). Adults, especially parents, play a very significant part when it comes to raising well mannered and co-operative children in a society. Although the media can also affect children and how they see the world, when a certain television show, game or movie shows that aggressive behaviors have no consequence, the child may result to negative behaviors. In order to prevent such behavior parents should help children understand that media portrayals of violence are un realistic and inappropriate. ( Storey & Staby 25). Mean while parents also have to work and be involved with the school that their child is attending. Parents need to be aware of your Childs actions and surroundings at all times, most importantly when at a young age. Furthermore bullying is also showed to commence in childrens younger years of educational experience. For example bullying begins in the preschool years, peaks in early adolescence, and continues, but rarely, into high school years; however, bullying does not have to be a part of growing up. ( Storey & Staby 3) hence why it is part of the school and its staff responsibility to teach children that bullying will not be tolerated. It is the schools responsibility to ensure that each and every child is in a safe and comfortable learning environment. If preventing bullying is not a priority of the school then consequently the school is fostering a climate of fear

145529-3 and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create conditions that negatively affect learning, there by undermining the ability of students to achieve their full potential. (Gulemetova, Dury & Bradshaw 83). A school is a place for children to learn and grow, and in some situations the school and staff have failed to succeed in their responsibility to ensure that children are learning in a safe environment and have failed to take the necessary precautions and actions to create the appropriate surroundings. As one school counselor put it, says author Rachel Simmons, Bullying has always been around. It has always been this way. It will always be this way and there is nothing we can do about it.(33) It is this type of mentality that is contributing to more and more victims of bullying. Schools need to take control of their own surroundings and guarantee that the school will not tolerate any negative behaviors towards any individual because of the harsh effects that it can have on a victim. Bullying can take a terrible and tragic toll on the victims, and change their lives completely and in some cases victims never get to see another day. For many, it affects them mentally and victims begin to see the world in a different perspective. For example, the fear, the anxiety, and the social isolation suffered by the victims of bullying can result in loss of productivity in school and unknown psychological distress. (McNamara 3). Bullying can also hurt a victim physically in many ways. For example there could be physical signs of violence or self injury, extreme weight loss and fatigue. These Could also be signs of depression which could eventually lead to suicide in some cases (Zonkel A2). Bullying is a very serious matter and should not be taken likely. People need to be aware of the effects and the toll that it can have on someones life and be aware of what they say and do and be ready to except any consequences, but in any event anyone can be a victim of bullying, however in the past years bullying has targeted two specific groups.

145529-4 First, a major group affected by the bullying epidemic is young women. A significant factor that has contributed to not only more victims but more bullies as well, is technology. Many young women have learned to manipulate media sites in their favor in order to harm others. The social media offers a limitless arsenal of weapons and Not only does offer the promise of something glorious but also exacts a painful price (Simmons). Cyber bullying has become very popular with teen girls and it has effect many girls in many negative ways. Along with this many girls are effect by verbal and indirect bullying. For example, as Rachel Simmons interviewed a young girl named Torie, Torie stated If girls are whispering, the teacher thinks it is going to be okay because theyre not hitting people. Teachers think theyre not hurting you but they are. (25). The second group that has been targeted is homosexuals and transsexuals. Many homosexuals, especially gay teens, are harassed everyday for their sexuality. However many schools have failed to secure their students. For example; An administrator at Ashland high school had stated to a student, after he had complained about being bullying due to his sexuality that Boys will be boys and if you are going to act so openly gay, you have to expect harassment from others. (Bullied). It has been stories such as these that are the cause for so many deaths of young gay teens who had not reported any incident, in fear that school officials would stand by and do nothing. In addition, on a daily basis and average of 160,000 children miss school because they fear they will be bullied if they attend classes (Hall & Jones 3). Schools need to show the public that bullying will be addressed and consequence will take place if someone is being bullied, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or sexuality. Bullying should be put to a stop as soon as possible because not only will it affect both the bully and the victims now but as well as long term. Being bullied as a child victims have

145529-5 recalled painful memories that linger into adult hood in addition to showing poor self-confidence and problems with depression. (Storey & Slaby 16). Bullying can traumatize a person and affect their lives in so many ways, it affects themselves and their surroundings for the rest of their lives. If Someone is a bully at a young age their adult life can be affect significantly as well. Bullies could act in an inappropriate manner in order to deal with a situation and more likely become spousal abusers, as well as become parents who are aggressive and abusive (McNamara 40). Being a bully at a young age can affect someone greatly and eventually will and can harm people in their surroundings. Habits are created at a young age and if being a bully is never unlearned, it will Every school district should take bullying serious because not only is it putting an individual student in harms way but it can also put others in harm also. Every one reacts differently and because bullying can lead to mental distress a student can crack at any given time. It has been proven that revenge is the strongest motivation for school shootings. Some victims have tired to get revenge and take violent matters, such as shootings, against their bullies and others who they believe have failed them (Storey & Slaby 16). Bullying can lead to many different and unexpected outcomes, for this purpose school districts and parents need to take bullying serious and consider every circumstance a legitimate problem because of the possibility that it can arise to a greater degree. Unfortunately bullying can also lead to suicide. A child commits suicide as a direct result of being bullied every half hour, with 19,000 bullied children attempting suicide over the course of one year.(Hall & Jones 5). There are many possible solutions to prevent bullying however it requires parents and schools to work as one. Many schools may question the importance and responsibility that they

145529-6 may have in the subject of bullying or even say that it is the solely the parents responsibility and not of there own, however as educators they are a major part and influence on a Childs life. When a bullying situation occurs victims must know whom to go to help and that help will be available and provided. (McNamara 103) it is important that as educators and as parents, it is clear that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of courage. Meanwhile every school should develop an anti-bullying policy. Having an anti-bullying policy shows a schools values and priorities (Simmons 341). Having a school policy on bullying where the rules will consistently apply to everyone not only ensure security with the students but as well as educators and parents.